Providing smart tags

ABSTRACT

Implementations generally relate to providing smart tags. In some implementations, a method includes receiving, at a server, a video stream from a video camera. The method further includes receiving, at the server, a plurality of tags from a plurality of client devices, where each tag of the plurality of tags tags a portion of the video stream. The method further includes tagging the video stream based on the plurality of tags. The method further includes grouping the plurality of tags into a plurality of tag groups, where each tag group includes one or more tags received from a particular client device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/486,089, entitled SMART TAGS: UNIQUE VIDEOVIEWING/DISCOVERY EXPERIENCE BASED ON EMBEDDED USER/CROWD GENERATEDMETADATA CALLED TAGS, filed on Apr. 17, 2017, which is herebyincorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this applicationfor all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Video cameras are used to record events such as sports games. Often,event spectators such as parents or coaches are interested in viewing agame and sharing a recording of the game with others. Conventionally, auser takes a video for an entire event. The user can use forward andreverse features to view different portions of the video. The can alsoedit the recording using editing software.

SUMMARY

Implementations generally relate to providing smart tags. In someimplementations, a method includes receiving, at a server, a videostream from a video camera. The method further includes receiving, atthe server, a plurality of tags from a plurality of client devices,where each tag of the plurality of tags tags a portion of the videostream. The method further includes tagging the video stream based onthe plurality of tags. The method further includes grouping theplurality of tags into a plurality of tag groups, where each tag groupincludes one or more tags received from a particular client device.

With further regard to the method, in some implementations, the videostream is received directly from a video camera via the Internet. Insome implementations, the video stream is a live video stream. In someimplementations, the plurality of tags are received from the pluralityof client devices via the Internet. In some implementations, the methodfurther includes displaying a plurality of tags in a graphical userinterface on a display associated with the server, where each tagrepresents an event highlight. In some implementations, the methodfurther includes displaying a plurality of tags in a graphical userinterface on a display associated with the server; and grouping theplurality of tags into tag groups, where each tag group corresponds to atag group, and where each tag group corresponds to a particular clientdevice of the plurality of client devices. In some implementations, themethod further includes displaying one or more tags in a graphical userinterface on a display associated with the server; receiving from a usera selection of one or more of the tags; and generating, at the server, avideo clip of one or more portions of the video stream based on theselection of the one or more tags.

In some embodiments, a computer-readable storage medium carries one ormore sequences of program instructions thereon. When executed by one ormore processors, the instructions cause the one or more processors toperform operations including receiving, at a server, a video stream froma video camera, where the video stream is associated with an event;receiving, at the server, a plurality of tags from a plurality of clientdevices, where each tag of the plurality of tags tags a portion of thevideo stream; tagging the video stream based on the plurality of tags;and grouping the plurality of tags into a plurality of tag groups, whereeach tag group includes one or more tags received from a particularclient device.

With further regard to the computer-readable storage medium, in someimplementations, the video stream is received directly from a videocamera via the Internet. In some implementations, the video stream is alive video stream. In some implementations, the plurality of tags arereceived from the plurality of client devices via the Internet. In someimplementations, the instructions when executed are further operable toperform operations including displaying a plurality of tags in agraphical user interface on a display associated with the server, whereeach tag represents an event highlight. In some implementations, theinstructions when executed are further operable to perform operationsincluding displaying a plurality of tags in a graphical user interfaceon a display associated with the server; and grouping the plurality oftags into tag groups, where each tag group corresponds to a tag group,and where each tag group corresponds to a particular client device ofthe plurality of client devices. In some implementations, theinstructions when executed are further operable to perform operationsincluding displaying one or more tags in a graphical user interface on adisplay associated with the server; receiving from a user a selection ofone or more of the tags; and generating, at the server, a video clip ofone or more portions of the video stream based on the selection of theone or more tags.

In some implementations, a system includes one or more processors, andincludes logic encoded in one or more non-transitory computer-readablestorage media for execution by the one or more processors. Whenexecuted, the logic is operable to perform operations includingreceiving, at a server, a video stream from a video camera, where thevideo stream is associated with an event; receiving, at the server, aplurality of tags from a plurality of client devices, where each tag ofthe plurality of tags tags a portion of the video stream; tagging thevideo stream based on the plurality of tags; and grouping the pluralityof tags into a plurality of tag groups, where each tag group includesone or more tags received from a particular client device.

With further regard to the system, in some implementations, the videostream is received directly from a video camera via the Internet. Insome implementations, the video stream is a live video stream. In someimplementations, the plurality of tags are received from the pluralityof client devices via the Internet. In some implementations, the logicwhen executed is further operable to perform operations includingdisplaying a plurality of tags in a graphical user interface on adisplay associated with the server, where each tag represents an eventhighlight. In some implementations, the logic when executed is furtheroperable to perform operations including displaying a plurality of tagsin a graphical user interface on a display associated with the server;and grouping the plurality of tags into tag groups, where each tag groupcorresponds to a tag group, and where each tag group corresponds to aparticular client device of the plurality of client devices.

A further understanding of the nature and the advantages of particularimplementations disclosed herein may be realized by reference of theremaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example event environment,which may be used for implementations described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example flow diagram for providing highlights ofan event recording, according to some implementations.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example client device,including a user interface having an example tag button, according tosome implementations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example clicker, according tosome implementations.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example event recording,according to some implementations.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example viewer client device,including a user interface having example highlight recordings,according to some implementations.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example highlights video clipthat includes selected highlight recordings, according to someimplementations.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example event environment,according to some implementations.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example flow diagram for providing smart tagsassociated with an event recording, according to some implementations.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example event recording,according to some implementations.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example client device,including a user interface having example highlight recordings fromdifferent users, according to some implementations.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example event environment,including video clip requests, according to some implementations.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an example video clip thatincludes selected highlight recordings from different users, accordingto some implementations.

FIG. 14 illustrates block diagrams of example video cameras systems,according to some implementations.

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of an example network environment,which may be used for some implementations described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of an example computing system,which may be used for some implementations described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations generally relate to providing highlights of an eventrecording, where a user can view individual highlights of a game and nothave to view the entire recording. As described in more detail herein,implementations may be provided by an event service or event cloudservice, and may provide the user with mechanisms to create personalizedtags of specific moments of an event such as a game. Implementationsenable multiple users to create tags of an event recordingsimultaneously and to create other metadata such as annotations.Implementations enable a user to share a common video stream to otherusers.

Some implementations generally relate to providing smart tags.Implementations enable users to tag moments or event highlights in eventrecordings. Implementations also enable users to obtain video clips ofevent highlights that are tagged by other users such as friends and/orfamily. As such, users may watch video clips based on crowd sourcedtags.

In some implementations, a system such as a client device receives avideo stream associated with an event. The system further receives oneor more tag commands from a user. The system further generates one ormore tags based on the one or more tag commands, where each tag of theone or more tags tags a portion of the video stream. The system furthertags one or more portions of the video stream based on the one or moretags. The system further stores a copy of the video stream and the oneor more tags on the client device. Further implementations are describedin more detail herein.

In some implementations, a system such as a server receives a videostream from a video camera. The system further receives tags from clientdevices, where each tag tags a portion of the video stream. The systemfurther tags the video stream based on the tags. The system furthergroups the tags into tag groups, where each tag group includes one ormore tags received from a particular client device.

Although implementations disclosed herein are described in the contextof a sports event, these implementations and others may apply to anyevent or performance that is recorded.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example event environment 100,which may be used for implementations described herein. Shown is anevent 102. Event 102 may be a live event such as a sports event, and thelive event may take place at a viewable area such as a field, stage,etc. The viewable area may be viewed by various spectators or viewershaving mobile devices or viewer clients 104, 106, and 108. For example,spectators or viewers may include parents watching their kids playing asport (e.g., soccer, football, etc.), or coaches watching the kids orathletes.

As shown, the viewers are positioned in various locations around event102 (e.g., seated on chairs on a field, seated at bleachers, seatedaround an amphitheater, etc.), and the viewers may view an area ofinterest 110. Area of interest 110 may include athletes at a particulararea on the field of sports game, for example. A video camera 112captures the event, and, more specifically, records area of interest 110and/or other areas of interest of event 102. As described in more detailherein, in some implementations, viewers log into the system to view anevent recording, generate tags for highlighting moments of the eventrecording, and later view event highlights.

As shown, video camera 112 captures the event and sends a video streamdirectly to viewer clients 104, 106, and 108, as well as to an operatorclient 114. In some implementations, the video stream may be broadcastor multicast to viewer clients 104, 106, and 108, and operator client114. Viewer clients 104, 106, and 108 may also be referred to as clientdevices 104, 106, and 108, and operator client 114 may also be referredto as client device 114. In some implementations, users associated withclient devices 104, 106, 108, and 114 may be referred to users U1, U2,U3, and U4, respectively.

Client devices 104, 106, 108, and 114 may be mobile devices such assmartphones, tablet computers, wearable devices, etc. that views havewith them while around event 102. In some implementations, one or moreof client devices 104, 106, 108, and 114 may be desktop computers,laptop computers, etc. For example, in some scenarios, a viewer may beseated in a viewing box or office with a view of event 102 and may alsoview event 102 using a desktop or laptop computer.

In some implementations, authorized users log into and access network120 via viewer clients 104, 106, and 108, and operator client 114 usingan authentication process. Once connected to network 120, viewer clients104, 106, and 108, and operator client 114 receive the video stream fromvideo camera 112 via network 120. In some implementations, viewerclients 104, 106, and 108, and operator client 114 may connect withvideo camera 112 via a Wi-Fi connection. In some implementations,network 120 may be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN). In some implementations, network 120 may be the Internet or along-term evolution (LTE) network.

Video camera 112 may connect to network 120 in various ways (e.g.,Wi-Fi, Ethernet, LTE, etc.). In various implementations, video camera112 may be a video camera that is dedicated for recording events, or maybe a video camera device that connects to an existing processor modulethat functions as a shared resource. Example implementations directed tovideo camera 112 are described in more detail herein.

In some implementations, at least one operator user associated withoperator client 114 is designated to control video camera 112 that iscapturing the video stream. The operator may be, for example, anadministrator, a coach, an assistant, etc. In some implementations, theoperator user may control video camera 112 using operator client 114.For example, operator client 114 may start and stop the event recording.While event 102 is being recorded, operator client 114 may be used tochange the position of video camera 112 (e.g., pan or tilt camera 112left-right, up-down, etc.), zoom in or zoom out, control exposure,control quality of capture, control network settings, etc.

In some implementations, operator client 114 receives one or more cameracommands from the operator user. In various implementations, the cameracommands includes movement commands. Operator client 114 sends the oneor more camera commands to video camera 112 that is capturing the videostream, where the one or more camera commands control the movement andoperations of video camera 112.

As shown, viewer clients 104, 106, and 108, and operator client 114 mayconnect to video camera 112 via network 120. In some implementations,video camera 112 may be a part of the system infrastructure connected toan existing access point. In some implementations, video camera 112 mayitself function as an access point to network 120. In this scenario,viewer clients 104, 106, and 108, and operator client 114 may connectdirectly to video camera 112 via a Wi-Fi connection, and receive thevideo stream directly from video camera 112.

As described in more detail herein, each user may use their smartphonesor other personal mobile device to identify personal key moments duringthe event by tagging the recording of the event. As described in moredetail herein, viewer clients 104, 106, and 108, and operator client, aswell as clicker 116 may be used to tag the recording of the event.Clicker 116 may be referred to as client device 116. As described inmore detail herein, in some implementation, clicker 116 does not have ascreen and may be used to tag the recording of the event where the user(e.g., U5) directly views the event live. In some implementations,clicker 116 may be a small hardware device such as a fob, key fob, etc.In some implementations, clicker 116 connects to video camera 112 vianetwork 120, or may connect directly to camera 112 where video camera112 via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other networking techniques.

Implementations also enable a user to create and share a highlight clipof the key moments with other users. For example, a user may be a parentwho may want to capture highlights of the parent's child during thegame. In another example, a user may be a coach who may identify keygame plays, tag the game plays, and provide one or more clips of themoments and annotations of the moments to share with players during ahalf-time session, post-game session, etc.

For ease of illustration, FIG. 1 shows three viewer clients 104, 106,and 108, one operator client 114, and one video camera 112. There may beany number of viewer clients, operator clients, and video cameras. Forexample, there may be multiple cameras set up around event 102 forcapturing multiple areas of interest and/or capture the same area ofinterest from multiple perspectives. In various implementations, eventenvironment 100 may not have all of the elements shown and/or may haveother elements instead of, or in addition to, those shown herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example flow diagram for providing highlights ofan event recording, according to some implementations. Referring to bothFIGS. 1 and 2, a method is initiated at block 202, where a system, suchas a client device (e.g., viewer devices 104, 106, 108, and 114, etc.)receives a video stream associated with an event, such as event 102.

In some implementations, the client device receives video streamdirectly from a video camera, such as video camera 112. As indicatedherein, in some implementations, the client device may receive videostream directly from video camera 112 via a Wi-Fi connection. In variousimplementations, the video stream is a live video stream capturing event102.

At block 204, the client device receives one or more tag commands from auser. As described in more detail herein, each viewer may tag the videostream by selecting a tag button on the user interface of his or herclient device.

At block 206, the client device generates one or more tags based on theone or more tag commands, where each tag tags a portion of the videostream. In various implementations, the video stream is storedseparately from the tags commands and resulting tags.

In various implementations, tags demarcate portions of the video. Forexample, in some implementations, the tags include start time tags andend time tags. As described in more detail herein, in variousimplementations, the tags may include fixed tags and variable tags.Example implementations directed to tags, including fixed tags andvariable tags are described in more detail herein.

At block 208, the client device tags one or more portions of the videostream based on the one or more tags. In some implementations, the videostream is stored at a suitable location associated with the server(e.g., a database) and then tagged. As a result, an event recording istagged. Example implementations directed to tagging portions of thevideo stream or event recording are described in more detail herein.

At block 210, the client device stores a copy of the video stream andthe one or more tags on the client device. Example implementationsdirected to storing a copy of the video stream on the client device aredescribed in more detail herein.

Although the steps, operations, or computations may be presented in aspecific order, the order may be changed in particular implementations.Other orderings of the steps are possible, depending on the particularimplementation. In some particular implementations, multiple steps shownas sequential in this specification may be performed at the same time.Also, some implementations may not have all of the steps shown and/ormay have other steps instead of, or in addition to, those shown herein.

While some implementations are described in the context of a clientdevice of an example user, these implementations and others apply tomultiple client devices of multiple users. For example, multiple usersmay tag the video stream on their respective client devices during theevent, and multiple users may tag the video stream on their respectiveclient devices simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example client device 300,including a user interface having an example tag button 302, accordingto some implementations. For example, client device 300 may be used toimplement any one of viewer clients 104, 106, and 108, or operatorclient 114. In this example scenario, video camera 112 is capturing areaof interest 110, and viewer clients 104, 106, and 108, or operatorclient 114 display the same area of interest 110.

In some implementations, client device 300 displays tag button 302 in agraphical user interface on display 304 of client device 300. Clientdevice 300 enables the user to select tag button 302 live, in real-timewhile event is taking place and being recorded. In variousimplementations, operator client 114 controls video camera 112, andviewer clients 104, 106, and 108 do not control video camera 112.Viewers may view event 102 directly rather than through their clientdevices, and viewers need not be concerned with the scene in the fieldof view being captured by video camera 112. As such, a viewer may selector tap tag button 302 without needing to look at area of interest 110 ondevice 300. The viewer can rely on the judgment of the operator viewerto control the video camera to capture appropriate footage of event 102(e.g., area of interest 110), and that area of interest 110 displayed onclient device 300 corresponds to where the viewer is looking. This isbeneficial to the viewer, because the viewer can optionally view area ofinterest 110 on client device 300 or view area of interest directlywithout looking at display 304 on client device 300.

In some implementations, client device 300 displays tag button 302 inthe graphical user interface on display 304 of client device 300 whenthe video stream is being received, and removes tag button 302 from thegraphical user interface when the video stream is not being received.

In some implementations, client device 300 enables the user to hide orturn off the display of area of interest 110 while client device 300still displays tag button 302 so that the user may continue to selecttag button 302.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example clicker 400, accordingto some implementations. In some implementations, clicker 400 includes atag button 402. In some implementations, tag button 402 may bemechanical button that clicks when depressed. In some implementations,tag button 402 may be a button in a graphical user interface on adisplay. Clicker 400 enables the user to select tag button 402 live, inreal-time while event is taking place and being recorded. As indicatedherein, in some implementations, clicker 400 does not have a displayscreen. As such, the user views event 102 directly rather than through aclient devices, and the user need not be concerned with the scene in thefield of view being captured by video camera 112. As such, a viewer mayrely on the judgment of the operator viewer to control the video camerato capture appropriate footage of event 102 (e.g., area of interest110).

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example event recording 500,according to some implementations. Shown is a timeline 502 thatrepresents the duration of event recording 500. In variousimplementations, when the user selects tag button, the selections of thetag button generate tag commands, where each tag command tags a portionof the video stream with tags 504, 506, and 508, also referred to asfixed tags 504 and 506, and variable tag 508, respectively. For example,when the user selects the tag button, the client device generates a tagcommand that generates tag 504. In various implementations, tag 504includes a tag paring. In various implementations, the tag pairingincludes a start time tag 510 and an end time tag 512. If the userselects the tag button again, the client device generates a tag commandthat generates tag 506, which includes another tag pairing, whichincludes a start time tag 514 and an end time tag 516. When the userselects the tag button again, the client device generates a tag commandthat generates another tag, which includes another tag pairing, whichincludes a start time tag 518 and an end time tag 520. For ease ofillustration three tags 504, 506, and 508, or tag pairings of start timetags and end time tags are shown. There may be any number of tags,depending on the particular implementation. In various implementations,each tag pairing demarcates an event moment or event highlight.

In various implementations, as indicated herein, the tags may includefixed tags, and variable tags. In some implementations, for fixed tagssuch as tags 504 and 506, for example, when the user selects the tagbutton at a particular point in time 522, the client device sets starttime tag 510 a predetermined amount of time before the tag button waspressed (e.g., 10 seconds before the tag button was pressed), and theclient device also sets end time tag 512 a predetermined amount of timeafter the tag button was pressed (e.g., 10 seconds after the tag buttonwas pressed). As such, the total time between the start time tag and theend time tag may be a predetermined duration (e.g., 20 seconds). Settingthe start time tag a predetermined amount of time before the tag buttonwas pressed creates tag buffer that accommodates a delay from the timethe user decides to tag the event to the time the user actually selectsthe tag button.

Similarly, when the user selects the tag button at another particularpoint in time 524, the client device sets start time tag 514 apredetermined amount of time before the tag button was pressed (e.g., 10seconds before the tag button was pressed), and the client device alsosets end time tag 524 a predetermined amount of time after the tagbutton was pressed (e.g., 10 seconds after the tag button was pressed).

In some implementations, for variable tags such as tag 508, when theuser selects the tag button and keeps the tag button selected (e.g.,continuously selects/depresses/holds the tag button), the client devicesets start time tag 518 at that particular point in time when the tagbutton is depressed. When the user deselects the tag button (e.g.,releases the tag button), the client device sets end time tag 520 atthat particular point in time when the tag button is released. As such,the total time between the start time tag and the end time tag may be avariable duration, depending how long the user keeps the tag buttonselected.

In some implementations, for variable tags, when the user selects thetag button (e.g., a single tap of the tag button), the client devicesets the start time tag. When the user taps the tag button again, theclient device sets the end time tag. As such, the total time between thestart time tag and the end time tag may be a variable duration,depending time duration between the first selection/tap and the secondselection/tap of the tag button.

In some implementations, as indicated herein, multiple cameras may beset up around event 102 for capturing multiple areas of interest and/orcapture the same area of interest from multiple perspectives. As such,multiple video streams may be sent to client device 300 simultaneously.In some implementations, when a user tags a moment, client device 300tags all received video streams at the same moments. In other words, thetags for all video streams will have the same time stamps.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of example viewer client device 300of FIG. 3, including a user interface having example highlightrecordings, according to some implementations. In some implementations,client device 300 displays in the graphical user interface of display304, a video clip 602 and one or more tags 604, 606, 608, and 610. Thedisplayed tags 604, 606, 608, and 610 may be referred to as eventhighlights. In various implementations, each tag demarcates eventhighlights. In various implementations, viewer client device 300 maydisplay one or more icons or thumbnails that represent tags 604, 606,608, and 610, that provide visual indicators of particular portion ofthe video stream (e.g., thumbnails, labels, etc.). For ease ofillustration, six event highlights are shown. The actual number of eventhighlight may vary, depending the particular implementation.

In some implementations, client device 300 also receives from the user aselection of one or more of tags 604, 606, 608, and 610. In someimplementation, the user may select one or more of tags 604, 606, 608,and 610 by tapping on display 302 if display 302 is a touch screen orother suitable means (e.g., clicking on one or more of tags 604, 606,608, and 610 with a mouse, etc.). In various implementations, clientdevice 300 generates a video clip of one or more portions of the videostream based on the selection of the tags. In some implementations, theclient device enables the user to annotate one or more portions of thevideo. In some implementations, the client device enables the user toshare the copy of video stream with others with or without annotationsbased on the one or more tags.

In some implementations, as indicated herein, multiple cameras may beset up around event 102 for capturing multiple areas of interest and/orcapturing the same area of interest from multiple perspectives. As such,the user interface may show event highlights from multiple videostreams, which the user may select for the video clip of highlights.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example highlights video clip700 that includes selected highlight recordings, according to someimplementations. In this example scenario, tags 604, 606, 608, and 610are selected. In various implementations, client device 300 concatenatesthe selected tags 604, 606, 608, and 610, which results in correspondingconcatenated event highlight clips. In some implementations, highlightsvideo clip 700 may transition from event highlight to event highlightusing various transitions 706, 708, and 710, which may includeuser-selected special effects (e.g., dissolves, fades, etc.). In someimplementations, the user may add a title, music, and other videoaspects for sharing and publishing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example event environment 800,according to some implementations. As shown, video camera 112 sends avideo stream of an event to a server 802 via network 120. Also, eachclient device 104, 106, 108, and 114 sends the one or more of the tagsto a server 802 via network 120. In various implementations, the one ormore tags are used to tag one or more portions of a copy of the videostream stored at the server. In various implementations, the copy of thevideo stream stored at the server is a higher quality copy than the copyof the video stream stored at the client device. In variousimplementations, the higher quality copy of the video stream correspondsto the copy of the video stream that is stored on the client device. Invarious implementations, the copy of the video stream stored on theclient device is a lower resolution than the higher quality copy inorder to reduce the amount of memory space required on the clientdevice.

Coaches and/or administrators may use tags created by all users (e.g.,crowd sourced tags) to generate general and/or specific eventhighlights. In some implementations, an administrator may log into theserver and annotate the event, select key moments, and review viewersinterests based on their tags.

Implementations described herein provide various benefits. For example,implementations enable individuals in the crowd watching the event tocreate personalized highlights for the event they are watching, and toobtain a high quality video of the highlights afterwards.Implementations also provide users with a video of the event from apotentially more optimal vantage point than where they were sitting.Implementations also enable users to share video clips with personalizedannotations with others.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example flow diagram for providing smart tagsassociated with an event recording, according to some implementations.Referring to both FIGS. 8 and 9, a method is initiated at block 902,where the system, such as a server (e.g., server device 802) receives avideo stream from a video camera such as video camera 112. In someimplementations, the server receives the video stream directly fromvideo camera 112 via the Internet. Video camera 112 sends the videostream to the server, as well as broadcasts the video stream to multipleclient devices. As indicated herein, in various implementations, thevideo stream is a live video stream that covers a current event such asa sports game.

At block 904, the server receives of tags from different client devices(e.g., viewer clients, clickers, etc.). In various implementations, eachof the received tags tags a portion of the video stream, where the videostream is associated with an event such as event 102 of FIG. 1. Invarious implementations, the tags are received from the plurality ofclient devices via the Internet. In various implementations, the videostream is stored at the sever separately from the tags.

At block 906, the server tags the video stream based on the tags. Forexample, the server tags different portions of the video stream withdifferent tags from the different client devices. In someimplementations, the video stream is stored at a suitable locationassociated with the server (e.g., a database) and then tagged. As such,the event recording is tagged. Example implementations directed totagging portions of the video stream or event recording are described inmore detail herein.

At block 908, the server groups the tags into tag groups. In variousimplementations, each tag group includes one or more tags received froma particular client device. Example implementations directed to groupingtags into tag groups are described in more detail herein.

Although the steps, operations, or computations may be presented in aspecific order, the order may be changed in particular implementations.Other orderings of the steps are possible, depending on the particularimplementation. In some particular implementations, multiple steps shownas sequential in this specification may be performed at the same time.Also, some implementations may not have all of the steps shown and/ormay have other steps instead of, or in addition to, those shown herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example event recording 1000,according to some implementations. Shown is a timeline 1002 thatrepresents the duration of event recording 1000. Shown along timeline1002 are tags associated with different users U1, U2, U3, and U4. Asshown, tags associated with user U1 are referred to as U1-1 and U1-2.Tags associated with user U2 are referred to as U2-1 and U2-2. Tagsassociated with user U3 are referred to as U3-1 and U3-2. Tagsassociated with user U4 are referred to as U4-1, U4-2, and U4-3.

As indicated herein, each of the received tags tags a portion of thevideo stream, or event recording 1000. As indicated herein, in variousimplementations, the tags include tag pairings, including a start timetag and an end time tag, where the start time tag demarcates thebeginning of a highlight moment and the end time tag demarcates the endof the highlight moment. The terms event highlight and highlight momentmay be used interchangeably.

For ease of illustration nine tags are shown. There may be any number oftags, depending on the particular implementation. In variousimplementations, each tag pairing demarcates an event moment or eventhighlight.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example client device 1100,including a user interface having example highlight recordings fromdifferent users, according to some implementations. As shown, clientdevice 1100 includes a display 1102, which displays event highlights.More specifically,

In various implementations, the client device 1100 displays one or moretags in the graphical user interface on display 1102. Each tagrepresents an event highlight, and, in particular, a tagged portion ofthe video stream or event recording. In some implementations, clientdevice 1100 is associated with the server and enables a user oradministrator to access server, including the event recording, andassociated event highlights. As client device 1100 is associated withthe server, the components of client device 1100 such as display 1102are also associated with the server.

In various implementations, the sever groups the tags into tag groups1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110, where each tag may be represented by anicon. Each icon may be any visual indicator of a particular portion ofthe video stream or event recording (e.g., thumbnail, labels, etc.).

In various implementations, each tag group corresponds to a particularclient device or user associated with the particular client device. Forexample, tag group 1104 may be associated with user U1 and presented ina section associated with user U1. Tag group 1106 may be associated withuser U2 and presented in a section associated with user U2. Tag group1106 may be associated with user U3 and presented in a sectionassociated with user U3. Tag group 1108 may be associated with user U4and presented in a section associated with user U4.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example event environment1200, including video clip requests, according to some implementations.In various implementations, different users may view the icon groupsfrom their client devices, where a given user may select one or more ofthe icons or event highlights to request a video clip of eventhighlights. The server receives from a user a selection of one or moreof the tags in a video clip request. The server may receive multiplevideo clip request from multiple users.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an example video clip 1300 thatincludes selected tags from different users, according to someimplementations. In various implementations, for each video cliprequest, the server generates a video clip of one or more portions ofthe video stream based on a selection of the one or more tags or eventhighlights, and sends the video clip to the client device of therequesting user.

In this particular example implementation, video clip 1300 includes tagsU1-1, U4-1, U4-2, U3-2, U1-2, and U4-3 that tag portions of the videostream or event recording. The particular selected tags and theparticular order may vary, depending on the particular implementation.Any tags that are not included are effectively filtered by not beingselected to be included in the video clip. As such, a given user obtainsa video clip of user-selected crowd-sourced event highlights.

FIG. 14 illustrates block diagrams of example video cameras systems 1400and 1402, according to some implementations. Video camera system 1400 orvideo camera system 1402 may be used to implementation video camera 112of FIGS. 1 and 8. As shown, video camera system 1400 includes an imagemodule 1404 for capturing video and a processor.

As shown, video camera system 1400 includes a camcorder 1408 forcapturing video and a processor module 1410. In various implementations,camcorder 1408 or other video camera device (e.g., smart phone, etc.)connects to processor module 1410. In some implementations, processormodule 1410 may be a shared resource the connects to multiple videocamera devices.

In various implementations, each of video cameras systems 1400 and 1402may not have all of the components shown and/or may have other elementsincluding other types of elements instead of, or in addition to, thoseshown herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of an example network environment1500, which may be used for some implementations described herein. Forexample, network elements of network system 1500 may be used toimplement network elements of FIGS. 1, 7, and 11, as well as to performimplementations described herein. In some implementations, client 1502communicates with system 1504. System 1504 may include a server device1506 and a database 1508. Also shown is a network 1510 through whichsystem 1504 and/or client 1502 may communicate with clients 1512, 1514,1516, and 1518 (e.g., other user devices).

For ease of illustration, FIG. 15 shows one block for each variouscomponents of network environment 1500. These blocks may representcomponents of each type of component. In other implementations, networkenvironment 1500 may not have all of the components shown and/or mayhave other elements including other types of elements instead of, or inaddition to, those shown herein.

In the various implementations described herein, client 1502 causes theelements described herein (e.g., video streams, controls, and relevantinformation,) to be provided to the user (e.g., displayed in a userinterface on one or more display screens, etc.).

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of an example computing system 1600,which may be used for some implementations described herein. Forexample, computing system 1600 may be used to implement the clientdevices of FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 13, and the server device ofFIGS. 7, 11, and 13, as well as to perform implementations describedherein. In some implementations, computing system 1600 may include aprocessor 1602, an operating system 1604, a memory 1606, and aninput/output (I/O) interface 1608. In various implementations, processor1602 may be used to implement various functions and features describedherein, as well as to perform the method implementations describedherein. While processor 1602 is described as performing implementationsdescribed herein, any suitable component or combination of components ofcomputing system 1600 or any suitable processor or processors associatedwith computing system 1600 or any suitable system may perform the stepsdescribed. Implementations described herein may be carried out on a userdevice, on a server, or a combination of both.

Computing system 1600 also includes a software application 1610, whichmay be stored on memory 1606 or on any other suitable storage locationor computer-readable medium. Software application 1610 providesinstructions that enable processor 1602 to perform the implementationsdescribed herein and other functions. Software application may alsoinclude an engine such as a network engine for performing variousfunctions associated with one or more networks and networkcommunications. The components of computing system 1600 may beimplemented by one or more processors or any combination of hardwaredevices, as well as any combination of hardware, software, firmware,etc.

For ease of illustration, FIG. 16 shows one block for each of processor1602, operating system 1604, memory 1606, I/O interface 1608, andsoftware application 1610. These blocks 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, and 1610may represent multiple processors, operating systems, memories, I/Ointerfaces, and software applications. In various implementations,computing system 1600 may not have all of the components shown and/ormay have other elements including other types of components instead of,or in addition to, those shown herein.

Although the description has been described with respect to particularembodiments thereof, these particular embodiments are merelyillustrative, and not restrictive. Concepts illustrated in the examplesmay be applied to other examples and implementations.

In various implementations, software is encoded in one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media for execution by one or moreprocessors. The software when executed by one or more processors isoperable to perform the implementations described herein and otherfunctions.

Any suitable programming language can be used to implement the routinesof particular embodiments including C, C++, Java, assembly language,etc. Different programming techniques can be employed such as proceduralor object oriented. The routines can execute on a single processingdevice or multiple processors. Although the steps, operations, orcomputations may be presented in a specific order, this order may bechanged in different particular embodiments. In some particularembodiments, multiple steps shown as sequential in this specificationcan be performed at the same time.

Particular embodiments may be implemented in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium (also referred to as a machine-readablestorage medium) for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. Particular embodiments can beimplemented in the form of control logic in software or hardware or acombination of both. The control logic when executed by one or moreprocessors is operable to perform the implementations described hereinand other functions. For example, a tangible medium such as a hardwarestorage device can be used to store the control logic, which can includeexecutable instructions.

Particular embodiments may be implemented by using a programmablegeneral purpose digital computer, and/or by using application specificintegrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gatearrays, optical, chemical, biological, quantum or nanoengineeredsystems, components and mechanisms. In general, the functions ofparticular embodiments can be achieved by any means as is known in theart. Distributed, networked systems, components, and/or circuits can beused. Communication, or transfer, of data may be wired, wireless, or byany other means.

A “processor” may include any suitable hardware and/or software system,mechanism, or component that processes data, signals or otherinformation. A processor may include a system with a general-purposecentral processing unit, multiple processing units, dedicated circuitryfor achieving functionality, or other systems. Processing need not belimited to a geographic location, or have temporal limitations. Forexample, a processor may perform its functions in “real-time,”“offline,” in a “batch mode,” etc. Portions of processing may beperformed at different times and at different locations, by different(or the same) processing systems. A computer may be any processor incommunication with a memory. The memory may be any suitable datastorage, memory and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage medium,including electronic storage devices such as random-access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage device (hard disk drive or thelike), flash, optical storage device (CD, DVD or the like), magnetic oroptical disk, or other tangible media suitable for storing instructions(e.g., program or software instructions) for execution by the processor.For example, a tangible medium such as a hardware storage device can beused to store the control logic, which can include executableinstructions. The instructions can also be contained in, and providedas, an electronic signal, for example in the form of software as aservice (SaaS) delivered from a server (e.g., a distributed systemand/or a cloud computing system).

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted inthe drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated orintegrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certaincases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. It isalso within the spirit and scope to implement a program or code that canbe stored in a machine-readable medium to permit a computer to performany of the methods described above.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,“a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Thus, while particular embodiments have been described herein, latitudesof modification, various changes, and substitutions are intended in theforegoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instancessome features of particular embodiments will be employed without acorresponding use of other features without departing from the scope andspirit as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapta particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving, at a server, a video stream from a video camera, wherein thevideo stream is associated with an event; receiving, at the server, aplurality of tags from a plurality of client devices, wherein each tagof the plurality of tags tags a portion of the video stream; tagging thevideo stream based on the plurality of tags; grouping the plurality oftags into a plurality of tag groups, wherein each tag group includes oneor more tags received from a unique client device and includes no tagsreceived from other client devices; associating each tag group with aunique user; displaying the plurality of tag groups in a graphical userinterface on a display associated with the server, wherein each taggroup is presented in a section of the graphical user interface that isassociated with a respective unique user; concatenating event highlightclips based a selection of tags of the tag groups; and displaying avideo in the graphical user interface, wherein the video comprises theconcatenated event highlight clips.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of tags comprises one or more one or more variable tags,wherein each variable tag is associated with a start time tag and an endtime tag, and wherein a total time between the start time tag and theend time tag is a variable duration.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe video stream is a live video stream.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of tags are received from the plurality of clientdevices via an Internet.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each tagrepresents an event highlight.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising storing, at the server, the plurality of tags separately fromthe video stream.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving from a user a selection of the one or more tags; andgenerating, at the server, a video clip of one or more portions of thevideo stream based on the selection of the one or more tags.
 8. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium with programinstructions stored thereon, the program instructions when executed byone or more processors are operable to perform operations comprising:receiving, at a server, a video stream from a video camera, wherein thevideo stream is associated with an event; receiving, at the server, aplurality of tags from a plurality of client devices, wherein each tagof the plurality of tags tags a portion of the video stream; tagging thevideo stream based on the plurality of tags; grouping the plurality oftags into a plurality of tag groups, wherein each tag group includes oneor more tags received from a unique client device and includes no tagsreceived from other client devices; associating each tag group with aunique user; displaying the plurality of tag groups in a graphical userinterface on a display associated with the server, wherein each taggroup is presented in a section of the graphical user interface that isassociated with a respective unique user; concatenating event highlightclips based a selection of tags of the tag groups; and displaying avideo in the graphical user interface, wherein the video comprises theconcatenated event highlight clips.
 9. The computer-readable storagemedium of claim 8, wherein the video stream is received directly from avideo camera via an Internet.
 10. The computer-readable storage mediumof claim 8, wherein the video stream is a live video stream.
 11. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the plurality oftags are received from the plurality of client devices via an Internet.12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein each tagrepresents an event highlight.
 13. The computer-readable storage mediumof claim 8, wherein the instructions when executed are further operableto perform operations comprising storing, at the server, the pluralityof tags separately from the video stream.
 14. The computer-readablestorage medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions when executed arefurther operable to perform operations comprising: receiving from a usera selection of the one or more tags; and generating, at the server, avideo clip of one or more portions of the video stream based on theselection of the one or more tags.
 15. A system comprising: one or moreprocessors; and logic encoded in one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media for execution by the one or moreprocessors and when executed operable to perform operations comprising:receiving, at a server, a video stream from a video camera, wherein thevideo stream is associated with an event; receiving, at the server, aplurality of tags from a plurality of client devices, wherein each tagof the plurality of tags tags a portion of the video stream; tagging thevideo stream based on the plurality of tags; grouping the plurality oftags into a plurality of tag groups, wherein each tag group includes oneor more tags received from a unique client device and includes no tagsreceived from other client devices; associating each tag group with aunique user; displaying the plurality of tag groups in a graphical userinterface on a display associated with the server, wherein each taggroup is presented in a section of the graphical user interface that isassociated with a respective unique user; concatenating event highlightclips based a selection of tags of the tag groups; and displaying avideo in the graphical user interface, wherein the video comprises theconcatenated event highlight clips.
 16. The system of claim 15, whereinthe video stream is received directly from a video camera via anInternet.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the video stream is a livevideo stream.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of tagsare received from the plurality of client devices via an Internet. 19.The system of claim 15, wherein each tag represents an event highlight.20. The system of claim 15, wherein the logic when executed is furtheroperable to perform operations comprising storing, at the server, theplurality of tags separately from the video stream.